CALEDON, Ont – Waves upon waves of Canadian fans have come through the gates at TPC Toronto cheering on two dozen of their country’s golfers since Thursday.
Now with eight Canucks remaining – four of whom are four or less back of the lead – and just one more day of energetic fans left, the Canadians will have no shortage of passion to feed off.
Hamilton native Mackenzie Hughes currently holds the best odds to bring the RBC Canadian Open trophy back to Canada, nearly two years after Nick Taylor’s famous putter toss. He attributed his success (-12 into the final round, two back of the lead) to the patrons.
“A week like this, I can use [the fans],” said Hughes, after his round Saturday. “I can use them for energy. I can use them for momentum.”
Being able to feed off the energy is something that Hughes has embraced through his years of playing at the tournament.
The Rink, located at hole 14, is where a lot of the fans have been gathering. A tee deck made in the shape of a goalie mask, surrounded by hockey boards, is an ode to Canada’s game.
Having the other three Canadians near the top of the leaderboard will add to that liveliness.
“If we can kind of get a few guys up there near the lead, a couple guys in front of me start getting the crowds going and I come up there right behind them,” Hughes said, “it could be a lot of fun.”
Canadians teeing off before Hughes are Taylor Pendrith and Adam Hadwin – grouped together – and Nick Taylor, who all sit to under.
Matthew Anderson, Ben Silverman, Richard Lee and Corey Conners all have an outside chance with scores eight under or worse.
Hadwin has never won a Canadian Open but has just as famous a moment in Nick Taylor’s 2023 win, for being tackled by security. He gave the fans what they wanted on Saturday at the rink hole when he put on a Team Canada Four Nations jersey.
“It’s a little bulky, as you can see,” said Hadwin, to reporters Saturday afternoon after walking off 18. “I had to roll up the sleeves. I certainly couldn’t hit a golf shot in it, but making a putt is fine.”
The risk was worth the reward from the Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan-born professional. He knows the crowd will be important come the final round Sunday afternoon.
“It’s a great opportunity to be up here,” said the 37-year-old. “Just lean into the crowd a little bit more.”